Indiana Spirit Quest #508: Sailors' Eternal Patrol Traditional Cache

This cache is dedicated to all the Submariners who went down with Lost Boats during World War Two...

The Indiana Spirit Quest series of geocaches will take you to a number of historic cemeteries built by Hoosier Pioneers. In just over two years, the quest has grown to over five hundred twenty caches hidden in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan , and the hiders have grown to thirty cacher teams, most of which of which are comprised of Dogs and their Humans. Over 1,000 cacher teams have logged over 19,700 finds. .

(All Photos by Shadow)

Welcome to Pleasant Lake Cemetery, Steuben Twp., Steuben County, Indiana.

The Mysterious character known as the SHADOW has hidden a treasure here. Here’s what he has to say:

Here we have a large and active cemetery. The original entrance is off what was once the main road, but no longer. More suitable for wagons, it's much too narrow for today’s vehicles.

There are many of our veterans here. One Civil War vet is a third generation veteran within the family (The Revolution, War of 1812, & Civil War-- Grandfather, father, and son.) The grandfather and father are mentioned in ISQ #114 Patriot Dad & Son, GCMTWQ.

I also noticed recurrences of surnames for the Civil War and Spanish American War.

In addition, WWI, WWII, Korea, And Viet Nam are well represented by our veterans. -- THE SHADOW

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 25 October 1943, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 9 April 1944; Commissioned USS Kete (SS-369), 31 July 1944; Sunk on 2nd patrol by unknown causes while enroute to Midway from Colnett Strait in March 1945, all hands lost; Struck from the Naval Register, Kete earned one battle star for World War II service.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm, one 20mm, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; ; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator diesel engines, 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gals., four General Electric main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Departing Guam on March 1, 1945, KETE (Lt. Cmdr. Edward Ackerman) headed for her second patrol in the vicinity of the Nansei Shoto (island chain). In addition to performing a normal patrol, KETE had orders to submit special weather reports, and to carry out rescue service during an air strike by carrier based planes.

On the night of March 10, 1945, KETE reported having sunk three medium sized freighters on the previous night. She reported on the night of March 14th that she had fired four torpedoes which missed a small enemy cable laying vessel, and that she had only three torpedoes remaining aboard.

In view of the small number of torpedoes left, KETE was directed to depart her area on March 20th, and proceed to Pearl Harbor for refit, stopping at Midway en route for fuel. On March 19th, she acknowledged receipt of these orders.

On March 20th she sent in a special weather report. This was the last message received from her. At normal cruising speed she should have arrived at Midway about March 31, 1945. When she was neither sighted nor heard from by April 16, 1945, she was reported as presumed lost.

Japanese information concerning antisubmarine attacks gained since the end of the war gives no positive evidence to what happened to KETE; none of the attacks on U.S. submarines occurring within the period from March 20th to March 31st 1945, was made in a position in which KETE was likely to be.

There were a few mine lines in the Nansei Shoto Chain but, since KETE was already east of the islands at the time of her last message on March 20th and was heading home, loss through a mine is considered highly improbable.

It is known that a number of enemy submarines were in the area through which KETE was required to pass en route to Midway. RO-41 was sunk east of Okinawa by an U.S. destroyer on March 23, 1945, and two other Japanese submarines were sunk southeast of Okinawa near this date. Conditions attendant to KETE’s loss suggest a likelihood that one of these submarines might have torpedoed and sunk her and been unable to report the attack before being sunk.

Thus, KETE must be considered probably a loss due to an unreported enemy attack. She is credited with sending three medium freighters, totaling 12,000 tons, to the bottom on this last patrol. During her first patrol, conducted in the East China Sea, KETE encountered no enemy targets.

Brazilla Woodworth was born in Steuben county, Ind., April 8, 1847, and Died at his home in Pleasant Lake, Ind., June 19, 1903, aged 56 years, 2 Months and 11 days.

He was a son of a pioneer family… On June 4, 1861, at the age of 14 years, he enlisted for The three months' service in the 7th Ind. Cavalry, and on Aug. 4, in Co. D Of the same regiment. Mr. Woodworth was honorably discharged Feb. 18, 1866. He again enlisted in Co. H, 43rd U. S. Cavalry, Nov. 9, 1867, and was honorably discharged March 15, 1869.

He participated with his command in 29 different engagements And skirmishes, was wounded on left side of face and in body, and was once Captured, and on the way to Andersonville; made his escape by outwitting The guard.

In his last service, he was detailed for some time as carrier Of orders and dispatches and incurred many escapades of adventure among The Indians of the west. In this service he received high testimonials From his officers in writing and these will be preserved among the Valuable souvenirs of the father, by the family.

His full service as a Soldier, was 5 years, 10 months and 22 days. He became a charter member Of Middleton Perfect Post, No. 173, May 14 1883, and on disbandment of the Post, united with B. J. Crosswait Post, No. 150. He frequently requested That his final muster out be with Grand Army honors. His devotion to the Flag and the duties of Memorial Day was intense and loyal, and to him was Assigned the duty of carrying the flag in the marching column of the Citizens, school children, and comrades to the cemetery on Decoration Days.

Last Decoration Day he, as usual, attempted to do this duty, but Found his health and strength gone, and could not bear up the flag, so had To resign to another, and with a sad heart he stepped aside and wept. His Tears were of a loyal soldier, devoted to the flag. Surely he was worthy Of Grand Army honors.

Funeral services were held at Pleasant Lake, Sunday, June 21, 1903, Under auspices of B. J. Crosswait, Post G. A. R., No. 150; Rev. J. D. Coverstone, minister officiating.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Brazilla/Barzilliel Woodworth, 04 Apr 1847 - 19 Jun 1903, married Charlotte Smith, 1848 - 1924.

Brazilliel was the son of Brazilliel Woodworth, 20 Feb 1792 - 14 Sep 1846. On 06 Nov 1840 in Ithaca, N. Y., he married Matilda (Irwin) Frances Woodworth, 28 Sep 1818 - 24 Feb 1883. His father is buried at North Otsego Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. His mother, Matilda, on 15 Dec 1847, married Lemuel Colton Sr., 30 Apr 1800 - 03 Jan 1890, and they are Buried at Clark Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana.

His grandparents were Samuel Woodworth, 16 May 1772 - 1846, and Lovina (Babcock) Woodworth, 29 Jan 1772 - 1844. They are buried at North Otsegro Cemetery.

Two Marines with Viet Nam service are buried here, also. Lance CorporalMark D. Knapp died on Independence Day 1970, but apparently not as a result of his Viet Nam service,, since he's not on the wall. PFC Johnie M. Henninger from Rome City was killed by an explosive device in Quang Tri Province while serving with the 4th Marines on D-DAY 1967.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

FIND LOGS ON THIS CACHE THAT INDICATE NIGHT CACHING WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE!

The cache container is very small BYOP. .The cache is not located near a grave... If you find a fallen US flag, please stick it back in the ground. As always, please be respectful, and cache in, trash out. Say XXXXXXX

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** THIS IS A GENUINE INDIANA SPIRIT QUEST CACHE** xxxxx